Brazilian Team Controversy: Why Is the Most Expensive Left-Back Overlooked? Pavard's Dilemma and Inter Milan's Lucky Charm

Recently, Inter Milan's wing-backs have been making headlines. In Italy, Federico Dimarco received high praise from F1 star Charles Leclerc, becoming a hot topic on social media. Meanwhile, in the Dutch camp, Denzel Dumfries earned applause from fans after an impromptu stint as a goalkeeper. His ongoing contract renewal talks have also been the subject of numerous articles in the Italian media, with more details expected to emerge in the near future. Dutch national team coach Ronald Koeman further stirred the pot by stating in a press conference that "Dumfries is a leader in the Dutch team." The buzz around these wing-backs is undeniable, and fans are taking notice. However, another wing-back, who has also drawn considerable attention, remains less talked about. That player is the Brazilian, Carlos Augusto.

The Carlos Augusto Conundrum

Italian media recently published an analysis on "How Inter Milan Should Use Carlos Augusto This Season," while Brazil's "Lance!" sports newspaper posed the question: "Why Can't the Most Expensive Brazilian Left-Back Make the National Team?" At first glance, these two questions seem unrelated, but they are indeed connected.

When the Copa América squad was announced earlier, Brazilian media already pointed out that Augusto's exclusion was "highly controversial." Following the tournament, Augusto still did not receive a call from the Brazilian national team coach, Dorival Júnior, and the controversy only intensified. This is primarily because Brazil currently lacks high-quality left-backs. The two players in whom Dorival has placed his trust are Guilherme Arana from Atlético Mineiro, who struggled for playing time at Sevilla and Atalanta, and veteran Wendell from FC Porto, who was impressive during his time at Bayer Leverkusen but is now past his prime, with declining stamina and a history of injuries.

While Brazil has several high-value defenders, particularly center-backs like Gabriel Magalhães, Éder Militão, Gleison Bremer, and Marquinhos, each worth over €50 million according to Transfermarkt, high-priced full-backs are a rarity. Since joining Inter Milan, Carlos Augusto's market value has risen steadily, reaching €22 million in June, making him the second most valuable Brazilian full-back and the most expensive left-back. Yet, the Brazilian coach continues to overlook him, favoring two full-backs whose combined market value of €19 million (Arana at €12 million and Wendell at €7 million) does not even match Augusto's. The controversy is understandable.

Tactical Fit vs. Talent

So, what is the issue here? Augusto's situation is somewhat akin to that of Benjamin Pavard with the French national team. The crux of the matter lies in how the coach perceives the player's role within a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.

French national team coach Didier Deschamps considers Pavard, who plays as the right-sided center-back in a three-man defense at Inter Milan, to be a right-back, not a center-back. Consequently, when Pavard expressed reluctance to play at right-back, it created a rift with the coach. Similarly, Brazil's head coach believes that Augusto, who often plays as the left-sided center-back in Inter Milan's three-man defense, does not qualify as a traditional full-back. As a result, he feels compelled to select a “true full-back” from the Brazilian domestic league. This mismatch between Inter's 3-5-2 system and the more conventional four-man defensive setup has led to confusion and debate, which is not merely a question of ability.

Fortunately, Augusto himself appears to have a healthy perspective on his national team snub. Recently, he commented, "How do I feel about missing out on the national team? You know, when I first came to Italy, I was playing in Serie B, and hardly anyone knew me. But now I’m at a club like Inter Milan, winning historic trophies. So, all a player needs to do is play well, seize opportunities to help the team, and leave the rest to the coach’s decisions." This attitude is truly commendable.

Augusto's Role and Inter Milan's Defensive Strategy

While Brazilian media continues to debate Augusto’s exclusion from the national team, Italian media has been busy asking another question: With the arrival of Palacios, how will Simone Inzaghi utilize Augusto this season at Inter Milan? The answer seems straightforward: In the first three rounds of the league, Augusto has been brought on as a substitute primarily to strengthen the defense. This clearly outlines Inzaghi’s view of Augusto: he is a crucial option for bolstering Inter’s defense.

In last season’s Serie A, the Brazilian wing-back did not score in 1,725 minutes of play and provided only three assists. In terms of offensive output, he lagged behind his positional rival Dimarco, who registered five goals and six assists, and even behind Alessandro Bastoni, who, despite playing as a center-back, scored once and assisted three times. However, Augusto’s significant playing time in Serie A last season indicates that he is incredibly valuable to the team. During the 1,725 minutes that Augusto was on the pitch, Inter conceded just eight goals. In comparison, with Dimarco on the field for 2,077 minutes, Inter conceded 17 goals, and with Bastoni playing 2,268 minutes, they conceded 16 goals. One could say that whenever Augusto is on the pitch, Inter’s defense is strengthened — he is effectively Inter’s "defensive lucky charm."

This season, Augusto is expected to continue playing this vital role. For a team with lofty ambitions, a player who can fortify the defense may not always be the most glamorous, but their contribution is invaluable. For example, when the Italian media invited experts to discuss "How Inter Milan Should Defend Against Erling Haaland, Who Has Scored Seven Goals in Three Premier League Games, Including Two Hat-Tricks," Augusto's name repeatedly came up. It stands to reason that as long as Augusto continues to make a positive impact at Inter Milan and earns consistent playing time, his path back to the Brazilian national team will not be permanently blocked.

Brazil’s Left-Back Dilemma and the Broader Implications

The debate over Augusto’s national team exclusion highlights a deeper issue within Brazilian football. While Brazil has an abundance of top-tier center-backs, their options at full-back, especially left-back, remain limited. This lack of depth forces the national team coach to rely on players like Arana and Wendell, who, while competent, do not match Augusto’s quality or market value.

The problem is compounded by the differing tactical systems employed at club and international levels. At Inter, Augusto has adapted well to a three-man defensive line, often playing a hybrid role that combines defensive solidity with the ability to support the attack when needed. However, this role does not fit neatly into the traditional four-man backline used by the Brazilian national team, creating uncertainty over where Augusto would be best deployed.

This tactical dissonance is reminiscent of the challenge faced by Benjamin Pavard, who also struggles to fit into Deschamps' vision for the French team. Both players find themselves caught between the tactical preferences of their club and their national team, leading to debates about their suitability and role.

A Future Path for Augusto

Despite these challenges, there is hope for Augusto. His mature outlook and commitment to improving at Inter Milan, coupled with his defensive reliability, position him as a valuable asset. His ability to tighten the defense could prove crucial for Inter Milan in high-stakes matches, such as those against offensive powerhouses like Manchester City.

If Augusto continues to play a key role at Inter Milan and delivers consistent performances, he will make a strong case for his inclusion in the Brazilian squad. With the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Brazil will need to reassess their defensive options, and Augusto could well find his name back on the list.

For now, however, Augusto remains Inter Milan’s "lucky charm," quietly doing his job, fortifying the backline, and waiting for his chance to shine once more on the international stage.